As relative peace is said to have returned to communities, which have hitherto been bedeviled by attacks by unkonwn persons, in Barkin Ladi LGA, of Plateau State, residents of the Council have raised alarm over renewed plans to launch major attacks on their locality by a group of insurgents.

The residents alleged that they had noticed heavy arm build up in a Fulani settlement in Mahanga village, of the Council.

According to a retired police officer in the local government (name withheld), said he has noticed some strange movement of vehicles in and out of Mahanga village in the last few days.

As relative peace is said to have returned to communities, which have hitherto been bedeviled by attacks by unkonwn persons, in Barkin Ladi LGA, of Plateau State, residents of the Council have raised alarm over renewed plans to launch major attacks on their locality by a group of insurgents.

The residents alleged that they had noticed heavy arm build up in a Fulani settlement in Mahanga village, of the Council.

According to a retired police officer in the local government (name withheld), said he has noticed some strange movement of vehicles in and out of Mahanga village in the last few days.

“What I saw could be likened to a group of fighters preparing for war. Several Hilux Vans have been moving into this Fulani settlement called Mahanga. And yesterday, a strange and unidentified helicopter drop down in the same village. With these movement, I suspect an arms build up. There are obvious plan for fresh attacks. He decried.

The aforementioned Fulani settlement has been suspected to be an armoury for the insurgents terrorising communities in the State, for over four years.

There have been more than 150 attacks between Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government alone since 2010.

Confirming the suspicion of the residents, Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Loman, said there are fear of fresh attacks.

“Yes, it is true there are tension already in the locality because we have experience terrible attacks by unknown gunmen in recent past, our people have always suspect the Fulani settlement located between the two local governments to be hosting terrorists.

“Now residents have sighted a helicopter dropping at the Fulani village in Mahanga, several Hilux Vans have been conveying people to the village, this is an unusual movement.

“The security agencies have always asked us to report such strange movement to them and we have called their attention to this one, we are waiting for their action.

Loman advised residents to remain vigilant, “This is not the time to sleep, people should cooperate with security agencies so as to frustrate the intention of these terrorists.

Also speaking, Chairman of Riyom Local Government, Mrs Josephine Piyo said, “Already there are unknown gunmen who have begun to attack Rim village in the last two days. We need immediate and prompt intervention of the Federal government.

Loman called on the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki and the Chief of Defence Staff to immediately deploy armed soldiers to protect residents of the two Local Governments before these terrorist unleash mayhem on innocent people.

Meanwhile, some unknown gunmen have attacked residents of Rim village near Mahanga, where it was alleged to have stock piled arms.

The attack in Rim, according residents, was carried out by armed Fulani men.

Dantiri a resident from the village said, “The gunmen stormed Rim village at about 6:30am Tuesday morning when residents were conducting their early morning devotion at Twel Nyap.

“One of the worshippers, Gyang Dalyop, was killed by the attackers while another victim Davou Pam aged 28 was seriously injured. Pam is currently recieving treatment at Vom Christian Hospital.

“From the information made available to us, the gunmen have mapped out some villages for attack including Jol, Bachit, Bangai, Lwa, Fang, Shonong and many others.

Reacting the alarm raised by residents, Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) responsible for the maintenance of peace in the State, Captain Ikedichi Iweha described the said arms build up in Mahanga as a rumour and speculation, saying there is no iota of truth in the alarm raised by residence of Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Governments

count | 29

Residents of Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, Raise Alarm on Planned Attacks by Insurgents